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Period: to
The lead up to World War 2
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The Treaty of Versailles
Victorious Nations of World War 1 met in Paris to discuss rebuilding Europe. Germany was severly punished for 'starting the war' and the Austria-Hungary empire was split up into smaller countries. The meeting was dominated by France, England and the USA. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/treaty-of-versailles -
Hitler Joins the Nazi Party
Hitler officially joins the Nazi party after going to a meeting for the party, at the time known as the German Labor Party. This starts Hitlers rise to political power, as he became involved in the politics of Germany http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/riseofhitler/party.htm -
Hitler beomes leader of the Nazi Party
A muntiny broke out in Munich while Hitler was away in Berlin. They tried to throw him out of the party but when Hitler returned and said he would resign they rethought their position. He rejoined again on the condition he would be made Party leader, which was agreed to by all but one party member. The title 'Fuhrer' was first coined as he left the meeting. http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/riseofhitler/leader.htm -
Beer Hall Putsch
Hitler and the Nazi party attempt a coup d'état in Munich, in an attempt to overthrow the government and seize power. It ends with many shot dead by police and Hitler famously imprisoned on charges of treason. He writes the book 'mein kampf' while in prison. Hitler becomes famous because of this event. http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007884 -
Wall Street Crash
Stock prices began to fall in the American market and panic set in, leading to a massive crash causing Billions of dollars to be lost. This spread across the world resulting in 'The Great Depression'. Millions were left unemployed and homeless. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/usa/walldepressionrev1.shtml -
German Federal Election
On the Election day, the Nazi party managed to win a huge 6,731,000 votes, taking the party from being the smallest to second largest party in Germany overnight. It was a great victory for Hitler, signalling the start of the Nazi's rise to power. Hitler also became incredibly well known, increasing his popularity tenfold. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_federal_election,_1930 -
Hitler beomes Leader of Germany
With the death of the previous president Paul von Hindenberg, Hitler was named Chancellor of Germany. Urged on by his supporters, he then combined the Chancellorship and Presidency, using the publics fear of Communism to vote for him. This effectively made Hitler the dictator in charge of all of Germany. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/adolf-hitler-becomes-president-of-germany -
Germany annexes Austria
German troops march into Austria to annex it. Hitler personally leads the expedition and he is met by crowds of cheering Austrians. He then sets up a new Nazi government in charge of Austria and cements his power in Central Europe, adding Austria to the Axis' allies. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-annexes-austria -
German-Soviet Pact
Germany signs a non-aggression pact with Russia so that it will recieve half of Poland in return for not attacking each other for a period of 10 years. This allows Germany to invade Poland unopposed. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/german-soviet-nonaggression-pact -
Germany Invades Poland
Germany begins to invade Poland. France and Britain declare war on Germany (since they had a protection agreement with Poland). Russia does not intervene in the Invasion of Poland due to the German-Soviet pact. This marks the start of World War 2. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-invades-poland
